Rotary louver traverse blind



March 21, 1961 E. F. TAYLOR ETAL ROTARY LouvER TRAvERsE BLIND 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed OCT.. lO, 1957 March 21, 1961 E. F. TAYLOR ErAL2,975,831

ROTARY LOUVER TRAVERSE BLIND Filed Oct. 10, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March21, 1951 E. F. TAYLOR ErAL ROTARY LoUvER TRAvERsE BLIND 3 Sheets-Sheet 3Filed Oct. 10, 1957 United States Patent ROTARY LOUVER TRAVERSE BLINDErnest F. Taylor and Ralph M. Poe, Grand Rapids, Mich., assignors, bymesne assignments, to Edgar K. Orr, Grand Rapids, Mich. Y

Filed Oct. 10, 1957, Ser. No. 689,397

3 IClaims. (Cl. 160-176) This invention relates to Awindow blinds andmore particularly relates to louver control mechanism in such a blind.

An object of our invention is to provide a new and improved movablelouver blind construction which is substantially simpler and lessexpensive than blinds theretofore known.

Another object of our invention is the provision of a novel blindconstruction wherein the louver mountings are carried in tracks whichare movable to facilitate rotation and transverse movement of thelouvers for opening and closing of the blind.

A further object of our invention is to provide an improved blindconstruction wherein the upper and lower louver mounting tracks aresimultaneously movable for rotating the upper and lower ends of thelouvers. f

These and other objects and advantages of myv invention will more fullyappear from the following description made in connection with vtheaccompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to thesame or similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

Fig. l is a front elevation view of the window blind construction,partly in section and partly broken away;

Fig. 2 is a section view of the window blind construction taken on asubstantially horizontal plane as indicated at 2--2 in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a detail section view similar to Fig. 2, but showing thelouvers or window blinds in closed condition;

Fig. 4 is a detail transverse section taken on a vertical plane asindicated substantially at 4 4 in Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a detail transverse section view similar `to Fig. 4, butshowing a modiiied form of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a detail section view taken on a plane as indicatedsubstantially at 6-6 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a detail transverse section View similar to Fig. 4, butshowing another modied form of the invention; v

Fig. 8 is a detail section View taken on a substantially horizontalplane as indicated `at 8 8 in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a front elevation View, partly broken away, showing anotherform of the invention;

Fig. 10 is a detail section View taken o'n a horizontal planesubstantially at'10--10 in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a detail section View taken on a plane at substantially11--11 in Fig. 9; r

v Fig. l2 is a detail perspective view showing a portion of theinvention shown in Fig. 9; and

Fig. 13 is a greatly enlarged view of a section of the chaininterconnecting the louvers or blinds in Fig. 9.

The `window blind construction shown in Figs. 1-4 is adapted` formounting at the opposite sides of` a window opening W. The window blindconstruction is provided with supporting structure which consists in aplurality of angle brackets 20 adapted to be securedas'by screws 20a tothe building` wall B. vIdentical brackets 20 are used both at the upperand lower edges of the window openi lee ing except that the brackets 20at the bottom of the window opening are oriented in an invertedposition.

The windowvblind construction includes a plurality of upright parallellouvers 21 which are spaced equal distances from each other, and whichmay be constructed of any suitable material such as pliable fabric orsubstantially rigid slats or the like.

Mechanism is provided for supporting and controlling movement of thelouvers 21 to facilitate rotary and transverse movement thereof relativeto the window opening W. Such mechanism includes, at each side of thewindow opening, a pair of elongated and parallel members or tracks 22and 23 which `are vadapted for movement toward and away from each otherto produce rotation of the louvers 21. In the form shown, the tracks 22and 23 are generally channel shaped and are arranged in opposed relationwith each other with the channel openings facing each other. The tracks22 and 23 are both provided with inturned track edges or ilanges 22a and23a respectively. A plurality of interconnecting members extendtransversely between and are swingably related with the control membersor tracks 22 and 23. Certain of the interconnecting members 24 areimmovable longitudinally of the tracks 22 and 23, and othersinterconnecting members 25 are longitudinally movable along the tracks22 and 23 and comprise mountings for the louvers 21.

The mechanism for moving the tracks toward and away from each other withswinging movement includes the interconnecting members 24, whichcomprise U-shaped straps with o-utturned ends 24a swingably connectedwith the tracks 22 and 23 'as by pivot pins or rivets 26. plurality ofshafts 27 are provided for carrying the several interconnecting or trackmounting members 24 and each of the shafts 27 projects through asuitable aperture in a bracket 20 and is retained therein as by E-ring27a. The lower end of the shaft 27 projects through a suit# ableaperture in the member 24 and is secured therein as by E-ring 27h. Itwill therefore be seen that the tracks 22 and 23 are adapted forswinging movement toward and away from each other and about the axes ofshafts 27.

Means are provided for maintaining the interconnecting members or straps24 in parallel relation with each other so as to produce identicalmovement of the oppo-vv site ends of the tracks 22 and 23. In the formshown such means includes a rotary driving connection between theinterconnecting members 24 at the opposite ends of the tracks 22 and 23,which driving connection is provided by an elongated endless chain 28 ofthe ball and swivel type, which is trained around chain pulleys 29 ofAconventional type adapted to restrict slipping between the chain andthe pulleys. The pulleys 29 are affixed by any suitable means such asrivets 29a to the members 24.

As best seen in Fig. l, it will be noted that a pulley 29b is mountedintermediate the opposite ends of the pair of tracks in substantiallythe same manner as the other pulleys and is swingably connected to thetracks by means of the strap 24. The chain 28 is trained along and indriving engagement with the opposite sides o f pulley 29h. I v i I" Thelouver mountings 25 each include a generally U-shaped mounting elementor strap 30 having outturned ends 30a swingably connected as by pins 3lto slide bearings32 which are notched at 32a to receive the inturnededges 23a and 22a of tracks 23 and 22 respectively. In the form shown,the slide bearings 32 are' constructed of nylon and are of squareconfiguration.` It should be understood that the bearings 32 mightcomprise rotary wheels for rolling along the track edges. The saddleportion 33 of the U-shaped mounting structure 3 0 is apertured tonon-rotatably, but slidably receive shaft portion 34 of the louvermounting hook 35 therethrough,

and the saddle portion 33 also defines a notch 36 in which the spring 37may be seated. The upper end of spring 37 bears against a washer 38 onthe shaft 34 which is held thereon by means of a pin 39'through theshaft and comprises an abutment for limiting the upward movement of thespring along the shaft 34.` Another washer 40 on shaft 34 and disposedbelow the saddle 33 is adapted to rotate with respect to the shaft 34.Washer 40 is provided with apertured ears 40a at the opposite sidesthereof for receiving and facilitating attachment of the spacer tapes 41between each of the adjacent louver mountings to facilitate spacing ofthe louvers at equal distances across the window opening.

Mechanism is provided for moving all of the tracks 22 and 23simultaneously toward and` away from each other, whereby to rotate boththe upper and lower ends of each of the louvers 21. In the form shown,such means includes a vertical rod 42 extending between the oppositepairs of tracks 22 and 23 and non-rotatably secured at its opposite endsto the pulleys 29 by means of sleeves 42a which are aiilxed as bywelding to the pulleys 29. The rod 42 and sleeve 43 may be squared so asto transmit rotation between the upper and lower pulleys 29, A handle 43is swingably connected as by pins 43a to a bracket 44 which is allxed tothe rod 42 to facilitate ready and easy turning of the rod 42.

Mechanism is also provided for producing traverse movement of themountings 25 and louvers 21 across the window opening W. Such meansincludes an elongated, liexible and endless element or cord 45 which hasa pair of parallel vertical runs 45a and 45b extending along one side ofthe window opening and which also has a pair of horizontal, parallelruns 45e and 45d extending between each pair of tracks 22 and 23.Pulleys 46a and 46b are provided at the opposite ends of the Verticalruns 45a and 45b of the cord 45 for guiding the cord between the tracks22 and 23. The pulleys 46a and 46b are journalled on horizontal axesadjacent one end of the tracks 22 and 23 and are mounted on brackets 47which are fixed as by rivets 47a to the brackets 20. Pulleys 48, beingjournalled on vertical axes on brackets 49 adjacent the other ends ofthe tracks 22 and 23 are provided for mounting the cord 45 and bendingthe same back upon itself at the ends of runs 45C and 45d. Brack- I ets49 are affixed as by rivets 49a to the brackets 20.

As best seen in Fig. 2 the run 45t,` is affixed to the Washer of louvermounting 25a so as to facilitate producing traverse movement of acorresponding louver; Aand run 45d is connected to the washer 40 oflouver mounting 25h to facilitate producing traverse movement thereofand the corresponding louver. When the run 45a of the cord 4S is moveddownwardly, and the opposite run 45b is correspondingly moved upwardly,the mounting 25a is moved to the right in Fig. 2 and the mounting 25h ismoved to the left, causing traverse movement of the correspondinglouvers outwardly toward the edges of the window opening. As themountings 25a and 2517 engage the adjacent mountings in the tracks 22and 23, they will be carried along in an outward direction.

In the operation of this form of the invention, the louvers may be movedwith transverse movement in the manner just previously described. Torotate the louvers simultaneously, the handle 43 is manipulated so as toturn the rod 42 and cause rotation of the pulleys 29. The cha-in 2S willcause simultaneous rotation of all of the pulleys 29, which cause theinterconnecting members 24 to turn about the axes of shafts 27. As theinterconnecting members 24 are turned, the tracks 22 and 23 move toward'each other with a swinging movement, causing the louver mountingelements 30 to swing on the pivots 31. It will be noted that the pivots31 at the ends of each mounting element 30 are substantially closertogether than the pivots 26 at the ends of members 24. It will thereforebe understood that the rotation of the V.Managern n elements 30 and ofthe louvers 21 is at a substantially faster rate than the swinging pfthe members 24. As best seen in Figs. 2 and 3, the members 24 swingthrough approximately 60 degrees, the mounting elements 30 and thelouvers 31 rotate through approximately 90l degrees. Because themovement of the opposite ends of each pair of tracks are closelycontrolled, the rotary movements of all of the louvers 2,1 areidentical. It will be further noted that the louvers 21 may be swung ineither direction from the position shown in Figs. l and 2. Normally, thelouvers 21 will be swung to a position substantially normal to thetracks 22 annd 23 before they are moved longitudinally along the tracksin traverse movement.

The form of the invention shown in Fig. 5 is'substantially similar tothat shown in Figs. 1 4, and in this form of the invention, the windowblind construction also includes a mounting bracket 50 which carries alshaft 51 for rotatably mounting the chain pulley 52 land theinterconnecting member S3 which supports the tracks 54 and 55 alongwhich are adapted to slide the slide mountings 56 comprising theopposite ends of the louver mountings, indicated in general by numeral57. The louver mounting includes a generally channel shaped mountingelement 58 which has bifurcated ends as at'59, which are apertured toreceive pins 60 for rotatably mounting the ends of the mountingelementSS on the slidey bearings 56.

The channel-shaped mounting element 58 has inturned edges 58a the lowerportion of which defines a springmounting notch 61 in which lies anelongated spring 62, the ends 63 of which are bent back upon themselvesand are crossed adjacent lthe upper portion of the channelshapedmounting element. The channel-shaped mounting element is apertured atthe lower portion thereof, at 64, to slidably and non-rotatably receivethe shaft 65 of the louver-mounting hook 66 therethrough. The upper endof the shaft 65 has an abutment-forming hook 66 formed integrallythereof, and the opposite ends 63 of spring 62 are crossed on each otherbelow the hook 66 whereby to provide upwardly directed pressure on theshaft 65 for exerting tension on the louver which is secured to the hook66.

In this form of the invention, each of the louver mountings 57 has anupwardly projecting inger 67 for securing the Ispacer tapes 68 theretoso as to restrict the maximum distance between adjacent louvermountings. Of course the form of the invention shown in Figs. 5 and 6 isprovided with traverse cords 69 for moving the louver mountings 57 alongthe tracks 54 and thereby facilitating traverse movement of the louversacross the window opening, substantially in the same fashion describedin the form of the invention shown in Figs. l-4.

This form of the invention operates substantially identically to theform shown in Figs. 1-4 with the exception that when tension is extertedon the hook 66, the shaft `65 will slide through the aperture 64 and theopposite ends 63 of the spring 62 will flex downwardly and urge theshaft upwardly for maintaining tension on the louver.

The form of the invention shown in Figs, 7 and 8 is similar to thatshown -in Figs. 1-4. This form of the window blind construction includesmounting brackets 70 which are similar to the mounting brackets 20 buthave jaw-forming hook portions 71 formed at the outer ends thereof. Thisform of the invention includes an elongated, rigid, generallychannel-shaped frame structure 72 which has a pair of longitudinallyextending grooves 72a on opposite sides thereof for receiving thejaw-fortning hooks 71 of the mounting bracket 70 and another releasablejawdforrning clamping element 73 which is secured to the bracket 70 asby screw 74. The channelshaped frame structures 72 extend along oppositesides of the window opening and have their longitudinally extendingchannel openings 72b facing inwardly toward the window opening.

Means are provided for supporting and controlling rotary movement of theends of the louvers, and such means include, in the form shown, louvermountings 75 which are generally U-shaped and have outturned endportions 76 which are swingably connected by pivots 77 to slide bearings78 which substantially encompass trackforming rods Aor control members79. The rods 79, in this form of the invention, are circular in crosssection and permit ready and easy sliding of the bearings 78 therealong.

Means are provided for producingl swinging movement of the track-formingrods 79 toward and away from each other so as to produce swinging of thelouver mountings 75. In the form shown, interconnecting members 80extend between and are swingably connected to the rods 79 as by pivots81. Each of the interconnecting members 80 is aixed as by rivets 82 to achain pulley 83, which is mounted on a central pivot-forming stud 84.Studs 84 are affixed to the frame structure 72.

Louver-mounting hooks 85 are provided with shank or shaft portions 86each of which extend, in slidab-le relation, through a cooperativelyfitting aperture 75a in the saddle portion of the louver mounting 75. Asbest seen in Fig. 8, the shank portion 86 is substantially rectangularin cross section and the aperture 75a is of similar coniguration so asto prevent relative rotation between the shaft 86 and the louvermounting 75. A spring 87 encompasses the upper portion of shank 86 andis seated in the saddle portion of the louver mounting 75 and bearsupwardly against a pin 86a in the upper end o-f shaft 86.

This form of the invention also includes additional mechanism forsupporting each of the louver mountings 75 to relieve the transverseforces exerted thereby, through the slide bearings 78, on the rods 79.Such mechanism includes a pair of opposed stationary tracks 88 and 89which are formed integrally of the frame structure 72 and which carry.ball bearings 98. The ball bearings 90 are carried on studs 91 which arefixed to the upturned end portions 93 of support elements 94 4whichextend across the opening 72b of the frame structure 72. Washers 95 arealso carried on the studs 91 for retaining the ball bearings in place.The support element 94 has a plurality of inturned ear portions, 96,which are bent back upon themselves to engage and re- -tain a washer 97which holds ball bearings 98 in an annular raceway in the supportelement 94 and surrounding the circular aperture 94a therein throughwhich the shaft 86 of the louver-mounting hook 85 extends. Shaft 86 willrotate with respect to the support element 94. As best seen in Fig. 8apertures 99 are provided on each side of the support element 94 toreceive and anchor therein the ends of spacer cords or tapes 100.

This form of the invention is also provided with mechanism forcontrolling traverse movement of the louvers and in the form shown, suchmeans includes the traverse cords 101 which are arranged in a fashionsimilar to that described in connection with the form of the inventionshown in Figs. 1 4. The traverse cords 101 will be connected to certainof the supporting elements 94 at the apertures 99 substantially midwaybetween the ends of the frame structures 72 so as to move the louvermountings along the tracks 88 and 89 and along the rods 79.

The operation of this form of the invention is substantially identicalto that described in connection with Figs. 1 4 with the exception thatthe louver mountings 75 are supported through the washers 97, bearings98 e on the support element 94 and are thereby supported by the ballbearings 90 from the tracks 88 and 89. The track-forming rods 79 are forthe purpose of controlling the rotation of the louver mountings 75 andthe hook 8S.

The form of the invention shown in Figs. 9-l3 includes a plurality oflouvers 110 which extend between the opposite sides of a window openingW and which are supported at their opposite ends in such a manner as topermit rotary and traverse movement thereof. The upper ends of thelouvers 110 are supported as by hooks 111 which are axed to a rotaryshaft 112. Suitable mecha= nism is provided in the housing or framemember 113 for rotating the louvers on their individual axes and formoving the louvers across the window opening W'. The frame member 113may be secured tothe building wall B by any suitable means such asbrackets 1-14. The mechanism in the housing or frame member 113, yforcontrolling rotation and traverse movement of the louvers may be of anysuitable construction such as that set forth in the co-pendingapplication for U.S. Letters Patent by Edward Otto Bopp and ErnestTaylor, SN. 560,361, filed January 28, 1956 and entitled Louver TypeWindow Blind. IElongated flexible elements i115 and 116 respectively areprovided for producing rotation and traverse movement, respectively, ofthe. shafts 112 and louvers 110.

Mechanism is provided for securing the lower ends of the louvers 11) tothe opposite side of the window opening and for controlling movement ofthe louvers. As best seen in Fig. l2, the lower end 110a of each of thelouvers 110 is folded back upon itself and is stitched at 117Y so as toprovide a loop at the bottom of the louver. A metal bar 118 extendsthrough the loop end of the louver and is bent back upon itself in aloop at 119 to receive therethrough a looped wire 120 which carries aball and swivel chain 121. A pair of these chains 121 are provided, oneextending along and being secured to the inner edges of each of thelouvers 110 and the other extending along the outer edges of ,thelouvers 110. Between each of the louvers 110, chain 121 has a shortsection of tension spring 122 fastened therein. The chain also has afastener 123 located substantially midway along the length of the framemembers 113 so as to permit the centralmost louvers 110 to b e separatedfor traverse movement across the window opening. When the chain 121 isheld by the fastener 123, the springs 122 are all tensioned slightly soas to prevent uttering of the louvers.

The outermost or end louvers 110 are secured to the building wall B/ insuch a manner as topermit rotation of the louver on its axis. As bestseen in Fig. ll, the end louver 110 is secured to the building wall B asby a at plate bracket 124 which has a bifurcated clip 125 affixedthereto as by welding. The clip 125 has a notch 126 opening through theouter edge thereof and adapted to receive therein, the swivel link 127of a ball and swivel chain 128. The chain 128 has one of the ballsdisposed below the clip 125 and has another of the balls disposed withinthe apex portion of a generally U-shaped louver-gripping clip 129 whichsubstantially encompasses the lower looped portion of the louver 110.-

Means are provided for transmitting the rotary motion of the upper endsof the louvers 110 to the lower ends thereof and in the form shown, a atrigid and elongated plate 130 is alixed to the outermost or end louver110. The rigid plate 130 is afxed to the upper end of the louver 110 asby the hooks 111 which project through suitably provided apertures inthe plate 130. The lower end of plate 130 projects into the clip 129 andis secured therein and to the louver and bar 118 by the rivet 131. Itwill therefore be seen that when the upper ends of the louvers 110 areturned, rotary motion is transmitted by the plate 130` to the lower endof the outermost or end louver. As the lower end of the outermost louveris rotated, the rotary motion is transmitted by the chain 121 and spring122 to each of the louvers over the window opening.

It will also be clearly understood that when the louvers are to be movedin traverse movement across the window opening, the chain 121 will bereleased from the fastener 123 so as to permit the centralmost louversto separate. The chain 116 is then operated to move the louvers intraverse movement across the window opening.

It will be seen that we have provided an improved 75 mechanism of simpleand inexpensive construction and 'operation for controlling rotation andtraverse movement of louvers across andwith respect to a window opening.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes `may be made inthe form, detail, arrangement and -proportion of the parts withoutdeparting from the scope of my invention which consists of the matterdescribed herein and set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A window Iblind construction comprising supporting structure atopposite sides of the window, a plurality of louvers extending acrossthe window opening between said opposite sides thereof for rotation onlongitudinal axes, a pair of parallel tracks extending along one side ofthe window, means mounting said tracks on the supporting structurewhereby to permit at least one of the tracks to move toward and awayfrom the other of the tracks, a plurality of louver mountings eachincluding a pair of slide bearings opposite each other on the tracks andeach of the mountings also including a mounting element extendingbetween the bearings and swingably connected thereto on axeslongitudinal of the louvers, said mounting elements swinging in responseto movement of the movable track toward and away from the other track,each of said mounting elements having la notch opening outwardly fromthe window and also having an aperture at the lbottom of the notch,means non-rotatably connecting the mounting elements with the ends ofcorresponding louvers and including a plurality of shafts each slidablymounted in an aperture of a corresponding mounting element and having aninner end connected with the louver and also having an outer end with atransverse abutment thereon, a plurality of springs each seated in thenotch of a corresponding mounting element and bearing against the shaftabutment and urging the shaft outwardly whereby to place tension on thelouver, and mechanism across the window opening from the tracks andanchoring the other ends of the louvers to the supporting structure andpermitting rotation of the louvers on longitudinal axes and permittingtraverse movement of the louvers across the window opening.

2. A window blind construction comprising supporting structure atopposite sides of the window, a plurality of pliable louvers extendingacross the window opening between opposite sides therefor for rotationon longitudinal axes, a pair of louver-mounting mechanisms respectivelydisposed adjacent opposite ends of the louvers and secured to saidsupporting structure, each of said mechanisms including a pair ofparallel tracks extending along the side of the Window and meansmounting said tracks for swinging oscillation toward and laway from eachother, said tracks being spaced apart a distance substantially less thanthe Width of the louvers, a plurality of louvermounting bars eachextending across Vthe end of a respective louver and being securedthereto, said bars being spaced inwardly toward the window opening fromsaid tracks, each of said bars having a shaft extending transverselybetween the adjacent tracks, a plurality of louver mountings eachincluding a pair of slide bearings opposite each other on a pair oftracks and each of the mountings also including an elongate bar-shapedmounting element extending between said pair of bearings and having endportions swingably connected to said bearings on axes'extendinglongitudinal of the louvers, said mounting elements also having anapertured, substantially U-shaped intermediate portion non-rotatably,but slidably receiving said shaft of a respective louver-mounting bartherethrough, each of said shafts having an outer end with a transverseabutment thereon, and a plurality of springs each being respectivelyseated in the U-shaped intermediate portion of a respective mountingelement and bearing against said abutment to place tension upon thelouver. Y

3. A window blind construction comprising supporting structure onopposite sides of the window, a plurality of louvers extending acrossthe window opening between said opposite sides thereof for rotation onlongitudinal axes, a pair of parallel tracks extending along one side ofthe window, means mounting said tracks on the supporting structurewhereby to permit at least one of the tracks to move toward and awayfrom the other of the tracks, a plurality of louver mountings eachincluding a pair of slide bearings opposite each other on the tracks andeach of the mountings also including la mounting element extendingbetween the bearings and swingably connected thereto on a-xeslongitudinal of the louvers, said mounting elements swinging in responseto movement of the movable track toward and away from the other track,each of the said mounting elements having an aperture intermediate theends thereof, means non-rotatably connecting the mounting elements withthe ends of the corresponding louvers and including a plurality ofshafts each slidably mounted in an aperture of the correspondingmounting element and having an inner end connected with the louver andalso having an outer end with a transverse abutment thereon, a pluralityof springs each bearing against a corresponding mounting element andalso `bearing against the shaft abutment and urging the shaft outwardlywhereby to place tension on the louver and mechanism across the windowopening from the tracks and anchoring the other ends of the louvers tothe supporting structure and permitting rotation of the louvers onlongitudinal axes and permitting transverse movement of the louversacross the window opening.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,386,695 Lister-Torsen Oct. 9, 1945 2,591,775 Bopp et al. Apr. 8, 19522,731,082 Kiefer Ian. 17, 1956 2,768,679 Kiefer Oct. 30, 1956 2,768,680Seymour T Oct. 30, 1956 2,849,061 Toti Aug. 26, 1958

